While preparing your outline, expand thoroughly on each point using your resources (eBook,
ATI, additional resources in Modules). You should have at least 1-2 pages or more of notes on
each of the following points. Go into detail.
Test taking practice:
Test taking tips/skills : ATI > My ATI tab > Learn tab > Nurse Logic 2.0 > Testing and
Remediation
Practice Questions: ATI > My ATI tab > Test tab > <Learning System RN 3.0 > Standard
Quizzes > Fundamentals OR Dynamic quizzes (will adjust to the topics you missed)
Modules 5-8 50 questions
Module 5: Safe Medication Administration and Error Reduction
Chapter 29 in Taylor, C., Lynn, P., & Bartlett, J. L. (2019). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and
science of person-centered nursing care (9th ed.). Wolters Kluwer
1. Describe principles of safe administration of medications including safety issues:
1.1. contraindications, side effects, drug to drug interactions and allergies
contraindications: reasons/conditions a drug should not be given
side effects: some unintended, secondary effects that are mild,
predictable, and may be tolerated as part of the therapy.
Drug-Drug Interactions: occur when one drug is affected in some
way by another drug that is taken at the same time. Some are
beneficial, some are not.
Allergies: occurs when the body interprets the administered drug
as a foreign substance and forms antibodies against the drug
1.2. Proper healthcare provider order for medication
Patient’s name and a secondary identifier (date of birth, medical
record number)
Date and time the order is written
Name of drug to be administered
Dosage of the drug
Route by which the drug is to be administered
Frequency of administration of the drug
Signature of the prescribing provider
1.3. Safe handling of medications, sharps
Do not leave medication unattended
Controlled substances kept in double locked system, record of each
narcotic administered, count performed at each shift, 2 nurses
required when discarding narcotic
Do not recap needles, dispose in sharps container
1.4. Rights of medication administration (all)
, Right medication
Right patient
Right dose
Right route
Right time
Right reason
Right assessment
Right documentation
Right response
Right education
Right to refuse
1.5. Medication errors, nursing interventions and actions
Medication errors: mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, administering
meds
Nursing interventions/actions: 3 checks, adhering to the rights of
medication administration, maintaining safe environment, handling
controlled substances safely, identifying patient and scanning
1.6. Client teaching about medications, methods
Explain techniques of medication administration to patient and family.
Before being discharged, patient should practice necessary techniques
under supervision of a nurse to acquire sufficient skill for safe
administration.
Emphasize importance of taking medications as prescribed and for as
long as prescribed
Instruct patient not to alter dosage without consulting HCP.
2. Demonstrate safe medication administration through calculation of dosages
2.1. tablets,
2.2. oral/liquid
dose on hand/quantity on hand = dose desired/ x (quantity desires)
2.3. IV drip: ml/hr and gtt/min
Volume (ml)/ minutes x drop factor (gtt/mL) = dip rate (gtt/min)
Volume (ml)/time(hrs) = mL per hr
2.4. Insulin administration
Dial the dose selector to 2 units to prime the pen (perform an air
shot) to get rid of air and make certain the pen is working properly.
Hold the pen upright and tap to force any air bubbles to the top.
Hold the pen upright and press the injection button or plunger firmly.
Watch for a drop of insulin at the needle tip.
Check the drug reservoir to make sure enough insulin is available for
the dose.
Check that the dose selector is at 0 (zero), then dial the units of
insulin for the dose.
Put on gloves.